MyChart
Dr. Ryan David Moves Home to Practice Family Medicine
When it came time to begin his career in family medicine, Dr. Ryan David knew that the west end of the Treasure Valley would be the perfect fit.
“I like a mix of patients,” said Dr. David, who works at the St. Luke’s Fruitland Family Medicine Clinic. “I love being able to see young people for immunizations and sports physicals, talking to parents who are taking a child home from the hospital and middle-of-the-night calls from moms with babies.”
Dr. David and his wife, Evelyn Kaaen David, have deep roots in the community. His parents live in Star, his wife is one of nine daughters raised in Vale; her father, Dean Kaaen, teaches 5th grade at Vale Elementary School.
The Davids built a house in Fruitland large enough for their four children ages 9, 5, 4 and 2.
“We knew it was a decent area to raise kids,” he said. “We’re both from small towns, we wanted to come back to a small town.”
As a college freshman, Dr. David was unsure about a career path. He had an aptitude for science and an interest in community service.
“I actually enjoy service and I like helping people. I have always loved science,” Dr. David said.
Initially Dr. David was drawn to dentistry but an experience in college changed his mind.
“During my junior year at Idaho State, I rode along with an ambulance crew and shadowed a family medicine physician,” he said.
During medical school at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine and his residency at Central Washington Family Medicine in Yakima, it became clear to Dr. David where he needed to focus his energy as a physician.
“I really loved pediatrics, obstetrics and family medicine. I couldn’t see myself not doing all of it,” he said.
Dr. David’s local connections are beneficial to staff as well as patients.
“Bringing in a physician who was born and raised in the Treasure Valley is a huge asset to our medical staff,” said Sean Hackett, director of operations at St. Luke’s Fruitland. “Many patients knew him for years before he became a physician.”
For Dr. David, the rural setting allows him to build relationships with the families he sees in the clinic.
“I like being part of a community and feeling like you know people,” he said. “It’s home.”
For more information, Dr. David can be contacted at the St. Luke’s Fruitland Family Medicine Clinic, 1210 NW 16th St., or call (208) 452-8700.
About The Author
Amy Stahl formerly worked in the Communications and Marketing department at St. Luke's.
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